Coroner

In the event of a coroners report or inquest

The registration service has the duty to refer to the coroner all deaths which appear to have occurred from unnatural causes, violence, accident or industrial disease. The coroner may investigate and decide to order a post mortem, or in some cases, the coroner may decide to hold an inquest.

The coroner is an independent judicial officer who makes inquiries in to deaths for instance where the:

cause of death is unknown

deceased was not attended by a doctor within the previous 14 days prior to death or after death, or had not been seen by a doctor during the last illness

death was violent or unnatural or occurred under suspicious circumstances

death occurred during an operation or did not recover from an anaesthetic

death was due to an industrial disease

death occurred in prison or in police custody

The coroner also holds inquests upon treasure trove, when items of archaeological or antiquarian value or interest are found in England and Wales.

The coroner is assisted by coroner’s officers who make enquiries on his behalf and administrative staff - H M Coroner for Cheshire is: